Olivia Rubini sings 'Tiny Dancer' for a huge win on 'The Voice,’ announces Delaware shows

This time around, fans of Delaware's Olivia Rubini didn't have to wait long to learn her fate in the latest round of "The Voice."

The 25-year-old Hockessin singer was featured early in the first episode of the NBC show's Knockouts round Monday night, which pitted her against a fellow contestant after each were coached by this season's "mega mentor," country star Keith Urban.

In the end, Rubini was named the winner and will be among the final 20 remaining contestants advancing to the quarterfinals, which will air later this month. (An exact date has not yet been announced.)

And there's even more good news for First State fans of Rubini: she has announced a pair of upcoming Delaware concerts and a new single.

How her win happened

Rubini was set against 19-year-old singer Frank Garcia from Roma, Texas, on Monday night's episode and each were able to pick their own song to sing.

Garcia went first, singing "El Triste" by Mexican singer José José before Rubini had her chance, tackling Elton John's "Tiny Dancer."

Before their big moment in front of coaches John Legend, Reba McEntire, Chance the Rapper and Dan + Shay, they spent time with Urban as they prepared their songs for the stage.

Rubini took Urban's advice to sing the song in a higher key than the rendition she performed for him while being mentored.

"Eighty to 90 percent of the song is going to be in a way better key for you," Urban told her. "You can't channel Elton in your head singing that song because he didn't do it in that key."

It worked.

Legend picked Rubini, complimenting "all the different ways you went out of your chest voice, head voice and even that little crackle you were doing."

Then it came to McEntire, who also chose Rubini. "I love this song. I'm a huge fan of your voice and this performance didn't let me down. You did a great job," she said.

Chance the Rapper ended up giving the win to Garcia, although he said it was "very close."

And then Dan + Shay delivered Rubini her win, causing her drop her head in relief and later celebrate on camera, proclaiming, "I'm going to the playoffs!"

Said Shay Mooney about his pick, "There was something special about what Olivia did." Added Dan Smyers: "Her voice just inherently has a bit of a retro thing to it. She was spot-on with all of her notes."

See Rubini live

Rubini will be among the main stage musical acts at this year's Wilmington Flower Market (Friday to Sunday, May 9-11) in the city's Rockford Park.

Her set is slated for Friday, May 10 at 5:30 p.m. It is free.

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The Padua Academy graduate also will appear at the new Sunrise Fest at Schellville (36470 Seaside Outlet Dr, Rehoboth Beach) celebrating the kick-off of the beach season in Delaware.

It will be held Saturday, June 8 from 2 to 8:30 p.m. An exact set time for Rubini has not yet been announced.

Also scheduled to perform: country singer Karen Waldrup, who is also on this season of "The Voice" with Rubini, along with singer Julia Roome, who was only 13 when she appeared on "The Voice" last season. Local singers Anna Burgess from Easton, Maryland, and Rehoboth Beach's Cecilia Grace also are on the bill.

Tickets are available now at sunrisefestde.com at an early bird price of $25.

From independent Delaware artist to 'The Voice' favorite

Rubini has been independently releasing music since the age of 15, including her full-length album "Silhouettes" in 2021.

The 10-track pop album was produced by her father and veteran Delaware musician Ritchie Rubini.

Since her debut on "The Voice," she has released more music, including the single "Heartless Woman." A second single entitled "Love Em & Leave Em" will drop Friday, April 12.

In fact, she did not seek out her big TV moment on "The Voice." A talent scout for the show found her online and reached out through Instagram.

"It's not every day you look in your DMs and see a talent scout for 'The Voice.' I absolutely thought it was a scam. I left it on read," she told Delaware Online/The News Journal last month.

Rubini is only the fourth Delawarean to compete on the 25 seasons of "The Voice," which has hosted more than 1,300 singers during its run.

Have a story idea? Contact Ryan Cormier of Delaware Online/The News Journal at rcormier@delawareonline.com or (302) 324-2863. Follow him on Facebook (@ryancormier) and X (@ryancormier).